Weight indicator for deep well drilling rigs



1.315011 M111 MUUN UWlJ-i March 18, 1941. F. s. BUNKER WEIGHT INDIGATOR FOR DEEP WELL DRILLING RIGS Original Filed Nov. 2l, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l TTK MarCh 18,` 1941. F s, BUNKER 2,235,279

WEIGHT INDICATOR FOR DEEP WELL DRILLING RIGS Original Filed NOV. 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmlunm Patented Mar. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES hearth li PATENT OFFICE WEIGHT INDICATOR FOR DEEP WELL DRILLING RIGS Frank S. Bunker, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Laurence H. Heacock,

Compton, Calif.

3 Claims.

This application is a substitute for abandoned application No. 408,819 filed November 21, 1929.

My invention relates to a weight indicator that is especially designed for use in connection with deep well drilling rigs, and the principal objects of my invention are, to provide a relatively simple apparatus that will give an accurate, direct reading or indication in tons, of the exact weight of the parts of the Well drilling apparatus that are suspended from the travelling hook in the well derrick, at the same time compensating for the weight of the lines, travelling block and hook, friction of the lines over the sheaves and for the iioatation or buoyancy of the mud or iiuid in the well hole, further, to provide a weight indicator that will give a correct direct reading of the weight of tools and parts suspended from the travelling hook regardless of the number of supporting lines on the travelling block and further, to provide an indicator of the character referred to that will give a correct reading of that portion of the weight of the tools that bears on the bottom of the well hole, regardless of the number of supporting lines.

Further objects of my invention are, to generally improve upon and simplify the construction of the existing forms of drilling rig weight indicators, further, to provide anindicator that is capable of being readily combined with the standard forms of rotary well drilling rigs and further, to provide an indicator of the character referred to that is accurate in its indications to the variable weights of the parts of the drilling apparatus that are in the Well hole and a portion of which indicator is capable of being easily and quickly adjusted so as to compensate for the number of lines up or the lines of cable between the travelling block and the sheaves of the crown block.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts that will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of parts of a deep Well drilling rig and showing my improved weight indicator associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken approximate- 1y through the center of that portion of the indicator that includes the fluid container, the diaphragm associated with said container and the levers that are connected to the drill line and which actuate said diaphragm.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a face view of the gauge that formsa,

part of my improved indicator.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention, I0 designates the derrick oor, II the calf wheel, I2 the draw works, I3 the drill line or cable, one end of which is connected to the draw works and the other end to the cali' wheel and the intermediate portion of which cable has loops or portions I4 that pass over sheaves in the crown block and beneath sheaves in the travelling block I5. This travelling block supports in the usual manner the swivelled hook I6, the latter carrying the usual swivelled elevator I1 and suspended from the latter is the upper member or kelly of the drill string and its tools.

All of the parts just described are well known in the art and form no part of my invention, except in combination the elements and mechanism that constitute my invention.

Suitably anchored on the derrick iloor I 0 or other suitable support, is a horizontally disposed block or plate I8 and projecting upwardly from the ends thereof are integral brackets I9 and 20. Bracket I9 is slightly higher than bracket 20 and the upper portions of both brackets are bifurcated for the reception of levers.

Passing through the bifurcated upper portion of bracket I9 is a horizontally disposed pin 2l, upon which is fulcrumed one end of a horizontally disposed lever 22, which latter projects a short distance beyond the upper end of bracket 20 and this end of said lever is connected by a link or links 23 to the corresponding end of a lever 24 that is positioned directly beneath lever 22 and which is fulcrumed on a pin' 25 that passes through the bifurcated upper end of bracket 20.

Arranged` in an opening in base plate I8 between the brackets I9 and 2|! is a metal bowl 26 on top of which is secured an elastic or ilexible diaphragm 21, preferably of rubber. Arranged above this diaphragm is a cap 28, the edges of which are secured to base plate I8 by bolts or screws and formed in the center of this cap is a vertically disposed bearing 29.

Arranged for sliding movement through bearing 29 is a short vertically disposed rod 30 and carried by the lower end thereofy is a disc 3l that bears on'top of diaphragm 21. f

The inner end of lever 24 bears on top of rod 30.

Formed through the intermediate portion of lever 22 is a series of connected apertures 32 and on the face of thelever directly below these apertures are the numbers 4, 6, 8 and 10 and which numbers read from right to left. These numbers are intended to designate the number of lines up -or the supporting4 lines that are disposed between the crown block and the travelling block.

Formed through the intermediate portion of lever 22 a short distance below and to the left of the aperture 32 that is numbered 10 is an aperture 33 that is utilized as a point of connection for the drill line or cable while a fishing job is under way.

The lower ends of a pair of links or bars 34 are arranged on the sides of lever 22 and passing through the lower ends of said links and through anyone of the apertures 32 is a pin or bolt 35 having portions on opposite sides out away in order .that said bolt when turned into a horizontal position will pass between the narrow neck portions that connect the apertures 32. As a result of this construction the pin or bolt 35 may be readily moved from one aperture 32 to another without entirely disengaging said pin or bolt from the lever and the lower ends of links 3,4. Bars 34 which are formed of metal provide a rigid connection between the cable I3 and the lever 22, thus insuring positive transmission of all strains from the lines up to lever 22 and, such arrangement provides for increased accuracy I of the indicated weights.

located therein is a Bourdon tube 39 and connected to the lower end of the latter is a relatively small tube 45 that leads from the bottom of bowl 26.

Secured to the rear side of a drum 4I is an outwardly projecting internally threaded ring or uated scales.

collar 42 that is screw-seated on the externally threaded front portion of housing 38 and arranged within the drum against the rear face thereof is a disc 43 bearing on its face two grad- The graduated marks of one of these scales extend through the arc of approximately 315 or 320 and .the marks of this scale are numbered from Zero to 100 or more and reading clockwise. .This scale andthe pointer operating in connection therewith are designed to indicate the tons of weight that are suspended from hook I8 and adjacent to the center of this graduated scale appears the words Tons on hook.

The relatively narrow space between the ends of the scale just described is provided with a graduated scale that is ypreferably printed in red and certain of the marks of this scale bear the numbers 10, 20, 30, reading anticlockwise or from left to right. This last mentioned scale and the pointer that cooperates therewith are designed forindicating that portion of the weight of the drill string, tools, etc. that bears on the bottom of the well hole and immediately above thisscale on the face of disc 43 appears the words Tons on bottom.

Inasmuch as the structure just described includes two sets of graduated scales and two pointers cooperating therewith and such scales and pointers perform two functions, namely, to indicate the weight on the hook and the weight on the bottom of the hole, said structure may be properly termed a duplex pressure gauge.

Secured in the front portion of the drum 4I is a disc 44 of glass. Journaled in suitable bearings in the center of housing I8 is a shaft 45, the forward portion of which projects through an opening in the center of the disc 43 and secured on the forward end of this shaft is a double ended pointer 46, one end of which is colored red, as designated by 41-aand this end of the pointer is adapted to cooperate with the red scale that indicates Tons on bottom. The opposite end portion 41 of this pointer is preferably painted black and it cooperates with the Tons on hook graduated scale.

Mounted on shaft 45 within housing 38 is a pinion 48 and meshing therewith is a toothed rack 49 that is connected by a link 59 with the end of the Bourdon tube opposite to the end to which tube 4i) is connected.

Secured to the periphery of drum 4I is a small cable 5I that passes several times around the drum and the ends of said cable depend from opposite sides of the drum.

Leading from tube 40 to a suitably located housing 52 is a small tube 53 and located within said housing is a recording gauge with clock, chart and pen.

Connected to tube 53 is a small manually operable pump 53-a by means of which liquid may be pumped into the tubes 53 and 48 to replenish liquid that may escape therefrom.

The arrangement of the levers 22 and 24 and the adjustability of the bolt 35 in the connected :apertures 32 is such that the point of application of force or pull of the drill line or lever 22 is such as that the over all ratios are 25 to 1, 162/3 to l, 121/2 to 1 and l0 to 1.

Thus the pull of the weight on the dead line through the compound levers is impressed on plunger 38 and disc 3| which latter bears on the ilexible or elastic diaphragm 2l and forces liquid from the bowl 25 through tube 40 to the Bourdon tube 49 and the movement of the latter is transmitted to shaft 45 that carries the double ended pointer 46. Y

The constant direct ton reading is obtained by having the proper ratio for the number of supporting lines, for instance:

25 to 1 for 4 lines equals 4 times 25 which equals 162/3 to l for 6 lines equals 6 times 16% which equals 100 121/2 to 1 for 8 lines equals 8 times 121/2 which equals 100 l0 to 1 for 10 lines equals 10 times l0 which equals 100.

The proper ratio for the number of lines up is a constant and the effective hydraulic area of the fluid container is a constant. The pressure per square inch in the fluid container as a given weight on the hook is therefore a constant times a constant and is therefore always the same (a constant).

For practical purposes the bowl or fluid container 26 has an effective (arbitrary) area of 40 square inches. For a gauge pressure of 32 pounds produced by the upward pull of the dead line with any assumed number of line up is as follows: pressure per square inch multiplied by 40 multiplied by the number of lines up multiplied by ratio. Number of lines up multiplied by ratio multiplied by 40 equals constant 4000.

equals two tons weight per pounds gauge pressure and therefore 32 pounds gauge pressure equals 64 tons.

In operation the tubes 53, 40 and bowl 26 are iilled with liquid and the bolt 35 is inserted through the aperture 32 that corresponds with the number of supporting lines or lines up between the crown block and travelling block. The weight impressed on lever 22 will act through lever 24, rod 30, disc 3l, fluid within bowl 26 and tube 40 and through Bourdon tube 39 to actuate the pointer 46 so that the black end 41 thereon will indicate on the Tons on hook scale, the weight of the travelling block, hook and elevator.

By pulling on one end of cable 5l the drum 40 is rotated until the zero of the Tons on hook scale is brought to a point directly opposite the end of the black pointer 41 and thus compensation has been eifected for the weight of the travelling block, its hook and friction of the lines up over their sheaves. As sections of drill pipe are now added to the drill string the weight of the added sections will in succession be indicated by the movement of the black pointer 41 over the Tons on hook scale.

When the lower end of the drill string reaches the bottom of the well hole the string is drawn upwardly approximately two or three feet and 40 the total weight on the hook will now be indicated by the black pointer 41 on its graduated scale.

By pulling on the cable 5| the drum 4| is now rotated until the graduated mark zero is directly 45 opposite the red end 41-0. of the pointer after which the drill string is lowered onto the bottom of the well hole and the red end 41-a of the pointer will now register on the Tons on bottom graduated scale, the exact portion of the 50 weight of the drill string resting upon the bottom.

Simultaneous with the registration of the weights as just described upon the graduated scales of the gauge, a permanent record of the 55 weights will be made by the action of the liquid that passes through tube 53 and actuates the recording gauge within the housing 52.

In the event that fishing operations for a broken tool or broken drill string are necessary, the

60 lower ends of the bars 34 are connected to lever 22 by bolt 35 which passes through aperture 33. Inasmuch as this aperture is located a greater distance from the fulcrum of lever 22 than the connected apertures 32, the sensitivity of the re- 65 cording apparatus is materially increased and as a result the operators are able to readily determine whether or not the fishing tool has engaged the broken drill string or tool.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a 70 weight indicator for deep well drilling rigs that is relatively simple in construction, capable of being readily combined with the standard forms of rotary drilling rigs and which indicator is very effective in performing the functions for 7| which it is intended.

Especially desirable features of my invention are the means whereby the indicating apparatus may be adjusted to compensate for the number of lines up and the single scale and double ended pointer, which when properly manipulated, 5 gives an accurate direct reading in tons of weight on the hook and also a direct reading in tons, of the weight of the drill string and tools on the bottom of the well hole.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved weight indicator for deep well drilling rigs may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a weight indicator for well drilling rigs having a drilling cable and a calf wheel, an anchored base, a lever fulcrumed at one end on said base and provided with a plurality of connected apertures located at different distances from its fulcrum, said apertures being distinctively marked, a rigid member, means for detachably securing the lower end of said rigid member to any one of the apertures in said lever, means connecting said rigid member to the cable of the drilling apparatus adjacent the calf wheel, a second lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends and having one end connected to said rst mentioned lever, a fluid cushion engaged by the free end of said second mentioned lever, an adjustable duplex pressure gauge and a connection from said fluid cushion to said pressure gauge.

2. In a weight indicator for a well drilling apparatus, having a cable and a calf wheel, a lever fulcrumed at one end, said lever being provided in its intermediate portion with a slot extending lon gitudinally thereof, there being spaced distinctive markings on said lever adjacent said slot, a rigid member having one end connected to the cable adjacent the calf wheel, the other end of said rigid member being adjustably arranged in said slot, said lever being provided between its free end and said slot with an aperture for the reception of a cable, a second lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends, one end of which second mentioned lever is connected to the free end of the rst mentioned lever, a iluid cushion actuated by the free end of said second mentioned lever and a pressure gauge connected to said fluid cushion and adapted to be actuated by pulling strains impressed on said cable and transmitted by said rigid member to the first mentioned lever.

3. In a weight indicator for a well drilling apparatus having a cable and a calf wheel, a base, a lever fulcrumed at one end on said base, said lever being provided intermediate its ends with a longitudinally extending opening formed by a series of connected. apertures, said lever bearing distinctive markings adjacent said apertures, a rigid member having one end adjustably arranged in said opening, the other end of said rigid member being connected to the drilling cable above the calf wheel, -a second lever iulcrumed intermediate its ends on said base, one end of which last mentioned lever is connected to the free end of the first mentioned lever, a iluid cushion actuated by the free end of said second mentioned 70 lever and an adjustable pressure gauge connected to said uid cushion and adapted .to be actuated by pulling strains impressed on said cable and transmitted to said first mentioned lever.

FRANK S. BUNKER. 

